Overview
BIGGBY Coffee is an American coffee-shop franchise founded in East Lansing, Michigan. It sells espresso-based beverages, brewed coffee, tea, frozen drinks and other speciality beverages, alongside breakfast sandwiches and bakery items. Customisable drinks, including flavoured lattes and seasonal recipes, are a prominent part of its offer.
The business operates in the coffee and bakery category, although beverages are central to its identity. Its network has developed primarily through franchising rather than a large estate of company-operated shops. For prospective operators, the proposition is an established regional brand with a growing national presence, rather than the geographic reach or purchasing scale of the largest international coffee chains.
History and growth
The first shop opened in East Lansing in 1995 under the name Beaner's Coffee. Bob Fish and Mary Roszel established the original business. Michael McFall joined in its early years as a barista and subsequently became a central figure in its ownership and expansion. Franchising began in 1999, providing the framework for growth beyond the original market.
In 2007, the company announced its change of name to BIGGBY Coffee because the original name also carried a derogatory meaning. The replacement retained the prominent letter B associated with the brand. Subsequent expansion has combined conventional coffee shops with drive-through locations, reflecting wider changes in how American consumers buy coffee.
Global footprint
Despite the scope of the wider coffee market, BIGGBY remains a US-focused business. Public reporting put its network at around 400 locations as of 2024, concentrated particularly in Michigan and the Midwest, with shops in other US regions. This is a substantial domestic franchise estate, but it should not be confused with an established international network.
The chain's density varies considerably between markets. In its home territory, customers may already know the name and menu; in newer territories, franchisees may need to build recognition against entrenched competitors. The availability of a territory, the number of existing shops nearby and the development pipeline should therefore be confirmed directly with the franchisor rather than inferred from the national location count.
How the franchise model works
Franchisees operate local businesses under the BIGGBY name, using its menu, operating systems and brand standards. The franchisor provides a framework that includes training, marketing resources and operational support. Owners remain responsible for the practical work of running their shops, including recruitment, scheduling, customer service and local business management.
BIGGBY has used several property formats, including shops in retail developments and freestanding drive-through units. Its B-Cubed concept is a modular, drive-through-focused format intended to provide another route to site development. Different formats bring different requirements for land, utilities, vehicle circulation and construction. Prospective franchisees should establish which models are available in their chosen market and what support applies to each stage of opening.
Investment and requirements
BIGGBY has publicly advertised a standard initial franchise fee of US$20,000. That fee is only one component of the capital required to open a shop, and applicants should confirm the current amount and any applicable conditions in the franchise disclosure document. It should not be treated as an estimate of the total investment.
Overall opening costs depend on the format, property arrangements, construction, equipment, signage, professional costs and initial working capital. A drive-through development and a leased retail unit can have materially different budgets. Current investment ranges, royalties, advertising contributions and financial eligibility requirements should be checked in the latest disclosure documents. Applicants should also request a clear account of training obligations, owner involvement and any additional development commitments.
What franchisees should consider
Site selection is a central operating issue. Visibility, access, commuter flows and nearby homes or workplaces can influence demand, while a drive-through needs sufficient space for queuing without obstructing surrounding traffic. A recognised brand cannot compensate automatically for difficult access, weak local demand or unsuitable premises.
The menu also creates operational demands. Customised drinks require consistent preparation, accurate ordering and effective staff training, particularly during the morning peak. Owners need to understand labour availability, waste, equipment maintenance and the effect of seasonal demand on working capital. Discussions with existing and former franchisees can help test how the support system works in practice. Any earnings information should be assessed in the context of the disclosure document, rather than treated as a promise of results.
Competitive landscape
BIGGBY competes with national coffee brands, regional drive-through specialists and independent cafés. Dunkin' provides a close comparison through its franchised network, beverage sales and breakfast offer. Starbucks is a major competitor for coffee spending and convenient locations, although its US operating model differs from a conventional franchise opportunity.
Scooter's Coffee and 7 Brew are relevant competitors where drive-through convenience and flavoured beverages drive purchasing decisions. Dutch Bros Coffee also competes for customers seeking customisable drinks and fast service. These businesses are not interchangeable investment options: their ownership arrangements, property formats and availability to new operators differ. BIGGBY's competitive position consequently depends on local brand familiarity, service execution and site quality as well as its national offering.
Outlook
BIGGBY's development opportunities lie in extending its presence beyond established markets while maintaining service consistency across a franchise-led estate. Drive-through and modular formats provide different ways to reach customers, but neither removes the need for suitable property, disciplined development and capable local operators.
The wider coffee sector presents a mixed environment. Coffee remains a habitual purchase for many consumers, while competition for convenient sites, labour and discretionary spending is intense. Ingredient and construction costs can also affect franchise economics. The useful measures of future progress will therefore extend beyond headline opening numbers to include franchisee retention, shop performance and the strength of support available as the network becomes more geographically dispersed.
BIGGBY Coffee franchise: frequently asked questions
How much does a BIGGBY Coffee franchise cost?
BIGGBY has publicly advertised a standard initial franchise fee of US$20,000, but this is not the total opening cost. Property, construction, equipment and working capital add to the investment. Prospective franchisees should request the latest franchise disclosure document for current investment ranges, ongoing fees and the assumptions for their intended shop format.
How many BIGGBY Coffee locations are there?
Public reporting put BIGGBY's network at around 400 US locations as of 2024. Its strongest concentration is in Michigan and the Midwest, although it has expanded into other regions. This is a dated network estimate rather than a live count; the brand's location finder should be checked for current shops.
Where did BIGGBY Coffee start?
BIGGBY began in East Lansing, Michigan, in 1995, when Bob Fish and Mary Roszel opened the first shop under the name Beaner's Coffee. Franchising began in 1999. The company announced the BIGGBY name in 2007 because the original name also had a derogatory meaning.
Does BIGGBY Coffee offer drive-through franchises?
Drive-through shops are part of BIGGBY's network, alongside other retail formats. The company has also developed B-Cubed, a modular, drive-through-focused concept. Availability and suitability depend on the market and site. Applicants should ask the franchisor about format options, property specifications, development responsibilities and the associated investment requirements.
What support does BIGGBY Coffee provide to franchisees?
BIGGBY's franchise framework includes training, operational support, marketing resources and access to its menu and brand systems. Franchisees remain responsible for managing their local businesses and employees. The precise scope, duration and cost of support should be confirmed in current disclosure documents and explored through discussions with existing franchisees.
Latest BIGGBY Coffee news
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Figures are approximate and based on publicly reported information as of 2024. Franchise costs and terms change; prospective franchisees should obtain the brand’s current disclosure documents and take independent legal and financial advice. Profile updated October 2026.